Hydraulic flexible coupling



Nov. 5, 1929. C.'E. NELSON 1,734,043

HYDRAULIC FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed Feb. 9, 192a Z4 Z0 K x {f 1 a 20 22 ari 2112225021,,

Patented Nov. 1929 i i I warren sraras ser s CARL E. NELSON, or NrAGa A, Wisconsin HYDRAULIC FLEXIBLE COUPLING.

Application filed February 9, 1928. Serial No. 253,097.

Gems}- This invention relates to yieldablecoupling the disk 3 and overlap the lugs 4. There are to gradually transmit movement and therean equal number of lugs 4 and 6 and these by obviate the strain incidentto the translugsabut in one positionyas indicated most r mission of force through a rigid connection. clearly in'Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings;

designated as a hydraulic coupling interposed between adjacent lugs 4 and 6 to pro.- posed between parts for transmitting power vide a yielding connection in thedirection 'to allow for a certain amount of movement of rotation of the drive shaft, so as to com- 0 The invention consists of what may be Acoupling embodying the invention is interto obviate strain. pensate for strain in the transmission of 10 While the drawing illustrates a preferred power to the'driven shaft 2'. i embodiment of the invention, it is to be un- The coupling is shown most clearly in'the derstood that in adapting the means to meet enlarged sectional View, Figure *3 ofthe;

specific needs and requirements the design drawings, and comprises complemental mem may be varied and such other changes in the, bers 7 and 8; each being of tubular formal-i minor details of construction may be re-' tion, and closed at their outer ends by means sorted to within the scope of the invention as of caps 9 and 10, respectively. The outer ends claimed, without departing from the spirit of the caps 9fand 10 are of roundedforma' thereof. tion and obtain asnug fit in sockets'for'ined For a full understanding of the invention in the opposing sides ofthe lugs 4 and 6 beand the merits thereof, reference is to be had tween which the coupling is interposed; The

to the following description and the drawing tubular members 7 and 8 telescope and have" hereto attached, in which, a hydraulic piston fit to'pr'event any loss {of Figure 1 is a side view of a drive and driven pressure. W The inner, or telescoping end 3 of shaft coupled by means embodying the inthe membe'r'S is reduced and-receives a packvention. ing 10 consisting of alternate'rings of metal Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line and leather. A piston head 11 is formed with 2-2 of Figure 1, lookingin the direction of a flange which isthreaded upon thereduced the arrows. end of the'member 8 so as to confine and com- Figure 3 is a central longitudinal sectional press the packing 10. The piston head 11 view of the coupling on the line 33 of Figcloses the inner end of the member 8 and has ure 2 showing the parts on an enlarged scale. a snug fit within the member 7, and is formed Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of the with an axial opening 12 which is reduced filling plug on the line H of Figure 3, at its inner end to provide a seat for a' ball H showing the parts on a large scale. valve 13. The outer end of the opening 12 Corresponding and like parts are referred is enlarged and threaded to receive a hollow to in the following description and desigplug 14. which confines a helical spring 15 nated in the several Views of the drawing by which normally holds the valve 13 seated. like reference characters. Ports 16 and 17 are formed in the piston headv The numeral 1 denotes a drive shaft and 11 and open through the outerside'and op- 2 a driven shaft. A disk 3 is provided at one posite faces thereof. A channel 18 formed end of the drive shaft 1 and a plurality of in the innerside of the member 7 registers lugs f project outwardly therefrom and are with the ports 16 and- 17 in one-position of equally spaced. A similar disk 5 is provided the members 7 and 8. rin'expansible helical at the a'dj acent end of the driven shaft 2 and spring 19 is located within the member and lugs 6 project outwardly therefrom towards normallyexerts a pressure agalnst the piston head 11 to force the members 7 and 8 apart, thereby holding adjacent lugs 1 and 6 in abutting engagement, as indicated most clearly in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The cap 10 closing the outer end of the member 8 to which it is threaded is formed with an opening in which is fitted an externally threaded tapered plug 20, the plug 20 being formed with an axial opening 21 which is enlarged at opposite ends, as indicated at 22 and 23. The axial opening 21 is constricted adjacent its outer end to provide a seat for a ball valve 24. A ring 25 is threaded into the opening 23 and confines an expansible helical spring 26 which operates to normally hold the valve 24 seated. A suitable liquid is supplied to the member 8 through the valved plug 20, the parts supplying the liquid being threaded into the opening 22, as will be readily appreciated. The valve 24 opens inwardly, but closes outwardly, thereby preventing the escape of any liquid or pressure.

The members 7 and 8 are nearly or quite filled with liquid, oil being preferred. When the couplings are in place the springs 19 are under tension and sustain the load and function as cushioning means for relieving strain and absorbing shock. When the load overcomes the resistance represented by the combined tension of the springs 19, the members 8 slide within the members 7. This movement is slow because the Valve is seated and the liquid is bypassed slowly from the member 7 to the member 8 through the passage formed by the port 17, channel 18 and port 16. The return of the member 8 to normal position is quick, because the liquid passes rapidly from the member 8 to the member 7 through the ports 16 and 17 and the channel 18 and the opening formed in the piston 11 by the unseating of the valve 13.

Having thus described the invention, I

claim:

1. A hydraulic coupling comprising tubular members having a telescopic arrangement and piston fit and closed at their outer ends, a piston head at the inner end of the inner member provided with ports opening through opposite faces and the outer side thereof, and having an opening extending therethrough, a valve within the opening of the piston head and normally seated and adapted to automatically open when the members move outwardly, there being a channel in the wall of the outer member in communi cation with the ports formed in the piston head, and an expansible helical spring within the outer member and normally urging the members apart.

A hydraulic coupling comprising similar tubular members, the one fitting snugly within the other and having its inner end reduced, caps closing the outer ends of the members, one of the caps having a valved opening therein, a piston threaded upon the reduced CARL E. NELSON. a 3.

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